Law enforcement recently busted a chop shop in California, revealing a treasure trove of stolen Chevy Camaro and Chevy Corvette components and vehicles. The operation, executed on Mach 11th, 2024, was led by the California Highway Patrol’s (CHP) San Joaquin County Auto Theft Task Force, and was a coordinated effort involving several law enforcement agencies. Three men were arrested, while the dollar value loss for the vehicles recovered is estimated at more than $600,000.
Photo credit: CHP – Valley Division
In a post to social media, CHP provided photos of the chop shop operation, showing several Chevy Camaro and Chevy Corvette vehicles in varying states of disassembly. The photos reveal bumpers, hoods, seats, and stacks of doors, as well as an engine and transmission suspended by an engine hoist. Whole vehicles ready for disassembly were also discovered. In total, investigators recovered 10 Chevy Camaros and two Chevy Corvettes.
The operation involved law enforcement personnel from the CHP, San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office, Stockton Police Department, Tracy Police Department, Manteca Police Department, and the San Joaquin County Probation Department. The task force carried out a residential search warrant on a property located near the city of Tracy in a quiet, rural part of unincorporated San Joaquin County.
Chop shops are illegal operations that disassemble stolen vehicles in preparation to sell parts and components on the black market. Chop shops are often linked to car-theft rings and broader criminal organizations.
The successful operation led to the arrest of three individuals, who were booked at the San Joaquin County Jail. They face charges related to operating a chop shop and possession of stolen vehicles.
Roughly 325 miles south of Tracy, in Los Angeles, Chevy Camaro theft has surged more than 1,000 percent. The surge coincides with an increase in Camaros appearing at illegal street takeovers.
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Comments
If they really want a deterrent, hang all 3.
In public, at the town square.
I thought vehicle tracking systems sort of minimized this altogether. In the old days you purchased LoJack, in todays world your car can be tracked.
not if the battery is disconnected.
The criminal stole a Corvette. You don’t think they have ways to disarm the tracking system.
When are they going to put these thieves away for a very long time.Those cars are worth a fortune,and these thieves are getting off with light sentences! Try to steal $80.000 grand from a bank and see what happens! What’s the matter with our justice system in Canada,and the USA!
Slap on the wrist in Cali, they’ll be back at it in 90 days.
It’s not illegal in Californa unless you have a job and pay taxes.
However if you are on any kind of government hand out it’s allowed with no penalties.
Hanging sounds like a good idea.
In Los Angeles County, a neighbor down the street had his Camaro car jacked. The video surveillance showed the car jackers driving stolen Corvette. I hope they put those bastards away for a long time. Probably won’t happen though.
There needs to be a system on the cars that will electrocute anyone that breaks in & trys to steal them ! Or Better yet just Shoot the sorry SOB’s cause that is exactly what I would do if I ever catch anyone trying to steal my Truck !
Rise in Camaro popularity since being killed again by gm. “Don’t Know What You’ve Got ‘Till It’s Gone”, Cinderella.
Hunt them down and destroy these vermin. Follow the money trail and find out who they report to. Take them to the cleaners, take everything!